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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Isabella High School continued their tough 2024 schedule with its third consecutive game against ranked opponents taking on Tuscaloosa Academy on Sept. 13, but falling 21-12.

The Mustangs welcomed the No. 3 team in the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A rankings prior to the Sept. 13 slate of games in Tuscaloosa Academy, and hung with them throughout the night.

Tuscaloosa Academy built a 14-0 lead at halftime, but Isabella stayed with them and were able to limit their prolific passing game as much as they could.

“We had a chance to win the game,” Isabella head coach Tate Leonard said. “I think they played well and I am very proud of them, and the only thing we are doing is getting better every week and we are not too far away.”

The Mustangs posted 266 yards of offense and elected to go the opposite way of Tuscaloosa Academy with a majority of theirs coming via the running game. Jedaiah Works was the leading rusher for Isabella with 144 yards on 20 carries. Kaden Tuttle was the rushing touchdown scorer for the Mustangs as he cut the Tuscaloosa Academy lead down to one possession at 14-6 with just over four minutes to go.

However, Tuscaloosa Academy would reestablish their lead at 21-6 on their ensuing drive, leaving Isabella with just 1:38 to manufacture two scores. The Mustangs were able to move the ball throughout the game, but found tough sledding once they reached the red zone. Their passing game improved throughout the night as the game wore on, and it culminated on the last drive. Quarterback Levi Wilkins found Works for a 17-yard touchdown connection with eight seconds left to cut the lead back down to 21-12 to still give the Mustangs a thin lifeline. But the ensuing onside kick was not recovered, giving Tuscaloosa Academy the narrow win.

The No. 3 ranked team was held to 21 points or less only twice over the last two seasons prior to the Isabella matchup. That number grew to three times at the hands of the Isabella defense.

“Defensively, I was extremely proud because they threw the ball the entire time,” Leonard said. “We had a tough task, and our big thing was we wanted them to earn it down the field, and that is what we did. We did not give up big plays, and they had to earn it.”

Isabella (1-3) hits the road again for their next game on Sept. 20 at Aliceville High School at 7 p.m. back in Class 2A Region 5 play.